Wednesday, September 22, 2010

One-Layer Wednesday Meets Inspiration Week: Day 3

Wow, today is a two-for-one! A challenge and a give-away! And no, you don't have to do the challenge to have a chance to win the give-away.

Today's One-Layer Wednesday Challenge is to be inspired by NATURE! Many of you have already commented that nature is a big part of your inspiration. Well, here's your chance to express that inspiration in ONE LAYER!

My card set me to giggling with glee as soon as I made it. Y'all know how much I love autumn (or fall as we always called it in the South). Autumnal colors look dreadful on me, and I always avoided them in my clothing but was secretly jealous of my sister who could wear food shades like pumpkin or mustard and look awesome. She's also tall and skinny. As you can imagine, I had issues growing up.

Since I started papercrafting, though, I adore using the rich and warm colors of my favorite time of the year, and any excuse to use a tree stamp is welcome. PTI's Falling Leaves is simply perfect for creating a little fall scene. See that cute little branch sticking in on the right? See the missing leaf? See how it's fallen to the sentiment, almost like a punctuation mark? See how it hints at a lovely triangle of pumpkin pie ink on the card?

See? See? See?



*giggle*

You all have no idea how it's killed me to wait for the OLW to post this card. I made it over a week ago!

Okay, okay, I'll get myself under control here. Back to business.

OLW21 Rules

1. A one-layer card is defined as a single piece of cardstock folded in half.

2. Make a card that is inspired by nature. Remember to keep embellishments to a minimum.

3. Please share your creation by posting your card online and then using the InLinkz button in the sidebar of Simplicity to link to it.

4. Most important of all...HAVE FUN!

Give-Away

Please share what inspires you most in nature in the comments. If you live in the U.S., you'll have a chance at winning a big ol' stack of paper. Yes. Paper. The most natural of the supplies for our hobby. Check out the gorgeousness! Thirty-four colors of StampinUp cardstock, three sheets of each, 102 sheets total. And yes, it's the real thing, even if I refuse to use the egregious exclamation point. Only I am allowed to use egregious exclamation points on this blog.



If you live outside the U.S., feel free to comment and just list your country (or say "not for the drawing" if you're shy or already have too much paper, like I do) so I'll know not to count you for the give-away.

And FYI, tomorrow's give-away will be open to everyone once again. Yippy!

Remember, if you read Simplicity in your email, click on the post title to go to the actual blog to leave a comment. Emailed responses will not count for the drawing.

116 comments:

kelli said...

oh ho ho!! I am soooo crossing my fingers for this one! I've been meaning to buy some SU cardstock, but am too cheap. Tee hee. I have something more specific about nature that inspires me; also an autumnal inspiration. There is a patch of woods near where I live, with a railroad track going through the middle of it. In the fall, as soon as the leaves turn bright orange, it is the most beautiful place to take a walk in the world. You can see for about half a mile this row of gorgeous trees with an old bridge at the end. It's breathtaking. Perhaps this season I will remember to take a picture! Thanks again for the chance to win :)

lisascreativecorner said...

I love, love, love your blog and have it in my Google reader so I never miss one of your wonderful posts! I am a big fan of simplicity and I definitely believe that less is more!

Thanks so much for your never-ending inspiration and for the opportunity to win that yummy stack of cardstock! SU! cardstock is fabulous and I only have a few pieces of it in my paper stash. I would LOVE to win it. *Ü*

What inspires me most in nature are the color combinations that God creates. I love mixing the beautiful golds, oranges, browns, and greens that I see in nature during Fall.

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

What inspires me? You do! It's so nice to see such CAS cards, b/c while I lust after that die cut machine, I don't have on yet and you do such amazing things with paper... and stamps and color... and I'd love that stack of goodness. My husband just promised me a new custom built paper holder when we finishing all this moving stuffola. So, wouldn't it be great to remind him of his promise with a stack of colorful card stock?

Bahb said...

Trust you to put a genius touch on a card, like the fallen leaf. Who else would have thought of that? BRAVO!

Debgem said...

Just a quick note from North Wales (so, sadly, count me out for the draw). I really enjoy reading your blog and the style of your cards. I just wish I could do CAS too!! However, I think your OLW challenge today will be the one I attempt. Now to do ironing and have a think.
Oh yes, I really like the card - good inspiration.

Marilyn said...

Love this card. Have this stamp set... thinking I might need to case this one. LOVE SU! paper. Hoping to win this BIG stash. Thank you so much.

Sue W said...

Beautiful Card Susan.....love the fallen leaf too!
Ooooh some lucky American will be smiling from ear to ear with this generous giveaway!! This Aussie loves the bright light of summer when all the colours just sparkle!

Christine from FL said...

I love your cards and this stamp set! It is hard to get fall inspired living in Florida but the memory of riding through a small town in Vermont in a tunnel of trees when the leaves were at the peak of their color is what inspires me the most.

Angela said...

Susan, I have waaay too much cardstock, so feel free to count me out. Nature-wise, I'm mostly inspired by color, and the colors I find inspirational totally shift with the seasons! Your card is totally cute -- the leaf-as-punctuation is great!

craftiblog said...

My favorite time of year is also fall...and what can be more inspiring than driving down a country road where the tree's meet overhead and you are in a symphony of fall colors?

Too much paper? Never! Well ok, I do have too much DSP but am cardstock poor, so count me in!

Anonymous said...

I absoluting love fall. I love the look of the colors when the sun shines. Or walking thru a forest when the trees make a tunnel and leaves are falling the ground. It just seems like a magical time of year for me. I love it when it just starts to get cold and my horses are full of energy playing in the green fields with the colorful backround of the trees. ahhhh fall.
Karen
Krenmp1@hotmail.com

Donna VW said...

I love your fall card. I think the colors of the season inspire me most when I create.

Thanks for a chance at your giveaway.

Theresa said...

Your "Fall" card is great. I am most inspired by the colors of nature ...those in my flower gardens, the changing colors in fall, the color of birds. Would love to win the SU papers.

Laura said...

I LOVE how that leaf just happened to fall there. I think inspiration in nature for me comes from flowers and trees. My wedding in late september last year was Brown, Tan and Orange (Well, technically Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, and Kraft!!!) ... perfect colors to match the changing leaves.

Anonymous said...

There's no end to the inspiration from God's creation ... the colors, shadows, constant change of seasons! I'm so thankful for it all.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity to win this scrumptious SU cardstock!

Rita

FLEUR de Lo said...

Beautiful card! I LOVE that little guy poking in from the right side. The most inspiring thing from nature: the beautiful color combinations that abound.

Sharon Scott said...

I was about to give up on my card making hobby until I came across your blog. You showed me that simple can still be elegant and pretty. THANKS!

Mary Dawn said...

probably things that bloom...i'm amazed every year by everything that blooms, the colors, textures and shapes

missy said...

Oh My Goodness! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this stack of paper! I love Stampin' Up! but I have only a little of the paper! So, this would be awesome to win ALL those beautiful colors! Other than my birthday is in the fall, I love the colors of the leaves! Watching them change colors I think it is absolutely gorgeous! My isnpiration comes from that and talented ladies like you! I absolutely LOVE your site and learn SOOOOO much from you every single day! Thanks for the chance to win an awesome giveaway and for ALL you do for us! Good Luck To All!

Ann Marie said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I've never had any sU cardstock, but I've heard stories! :-)
Probably the thing in nature that inspires me the most is the sky. It's just always something I notice and say a quick prayer of thanksgiving for thet sun, the clouds, the stars, the colors... Or... The peacefulness of the Ozark hills of my childhood farm.

Sheila H said...

I'm a recent transplant from California to Georgia. In California, Fall was just a word. But here in Georgia, where Fall really is a season, the colors are amazing. I love watching the multi-colored leaves fall from the trees - what a wonderful sight. Thanks for the chance to win some great paper from SU (I don't have any).

mustavcoffee said...

Hi Susan, I can see that you were a little excited to share your card today, he he he, may I take it that you're feeling a bit better? Love the card, simplicity at it's finest (I wanted to say zenith but checked it out and not sure that's quite right:))
I'm in the UK so sadly not for the draw but good luck everyone and I'm relishing the challenge mmm, Fall, I have been known to underestimate how difficult these challenges are. :0) xx

Erin K said...

Fab card, as usual!

I would say trees, in all their forms most inspire me. We don't really get fall here, but the leaves do somehow fall off (without turning pretty colors, it's lame) I LOVE a naked tree though. It seems to speak of the promise of rebirth to me. Like, "I'm bare now, but I'm just saving up for spring, don't worry, I'm not done with this world yet" I feel like that sometimes. "Don't expect anything from me this day, I'm saving up for an awesome tomorrow"

tlgirl353 said...

Your card is fabulous, and I love how you used the leaf as punctuation. I'd love to win some SU. Now off to make my inspired one layer card.

Susan said...

Oooo...trees! I can stamp trees. Or leaves. I do love all the beautiful, rich colors of fall, we just don't see that many changing leaves in Florida. We do try to take a trip north (maybe as far as Atlanta!) each fall to see some of the gorgeous colors of fall.

Susan, your blog always inspires me, challenges me, and in the process, I always learn something new. Thanks!

As for the Stampin' Up paper...don't think I've ever owned any, but I hear it's the best.

Donna Sue said...

Beautiful fall card! I am inspired by all the gorgeous colors of flowers in my yard. Would love to win the SU paper set!!

Anonymous said...

I've never bought SU paper, but I'd love to try it out. I am a stalker... have been reading your blog every day for the last 4 months. I thought it was finally time to show my face. Thanks!
Amanda Thomas

Cheryl said...

What about fall inspires me? I love the deep earthy colors, warm sunny afternoons, crisp morning air....knowing that winter soon follows forcing me indoors (yes, I am not a cold-weather person)....but what fun I will have all winter long stamping!!!! Thank you for keeping my life "simple".

Tiya-B said...

love your blog and your inspiration. about inspiration in nature, I can't decide if the ocean(especially sunsets) or the fall inspires me most... love them both and find many of my cards share those themes.

Patti said...

there's something comforting about having all the paper in the world..If I am chosen would you mind sending the paper to the From Our Hearts Project (cards for troops)
love one layer Wednesdays for the clean and simple and usually quick cards it inspires

love ya
patti moffett

Donelda said...

You are SO funny!! I love your pumpkin pie punctuation and believe you to be brilliant when it comes to creating those visual triangles!!! Maybe I'll try to get this OLW card created some time this week and not in 3 weeks time!! LOL!! Your gift of paper is wonderful(don't count me in on the draw) - so generous!!

Beach Girl 115 said...

My inspiration from nature comes from my surroundings. I am blessed to live right by the Hudson River, and my commute is by train along the river. I get to watch the changing seasons of the Palisades (cliffs on the opposite side) - the magnificent fall colors, the snow dusting them like powdered sugar on a crumb-cake, the gradual greening in the spring. The sun rises on my side of the river and reflects on the colors of the cliffs, and glistens in the windows of the houses that dot the landscape. Sometimes it is foggy, and the scene looks like a Monet painting.On some days the river is smooth like glass, and then at times it is rough and stormy. The colors and textures are my inspiration.

I would love to win the paper and make some nature-inspired cards!

Bev J. said...

I just love Fall!! The turning colors of the leaves (if we have a good season), the cooler weather, the pumpkins/gourds for decorating-all are part of my fav time of the year but Spring comes in a very close second!!

Carol said...

Susan, you are so generous! And from skimming through the comments, there appear to be several who would love to win this paper, and since I have waaaaaaay too much, I'd like to pass on the giveaway. Although I have too many flower stamps, leaves, trees and grasses are what I think of when I think about nature. So, those are what I will try to use on this week's challenge. Thank you so much for your weekly challenges! My neglected stamps, ink and paper thank you!

judy said...

Lovely card! My favorite cards to make are nature
themed ones. I am inspired by trees, leaves, birds, flowers and colors of all things in nature
to name just a few of things that inspire me.
Sometimes, I just want to create the feeling of
peace or calm I get in nature in one of my cards.

Lauren said...

This card is just PERFECT. Trees are my weakness. What inspires me about nature is, without a doubt, the absolutely flawless color combinations. Tones I would never think to combine on my own are everywhere in nature, and they coordinate seamlessly. Just love it!!

Lynette said...

Another super-wonderful card, Susan! Flowers, flowers, flowers:) I love to stamp flowers.

Marie B. said...

Good morning Susan! I live in PA, so I am inspired by the changing of the seasons. It always gives me a sense of renewal as the leaves change colors, or as it starts to warm up in the spring. :)

Julz said...

Great card! I just love autumn! It's pretty and plus my fav holiday Halloween is here! But I also love working with flowers and butterflies too.

Sue said...

I don't know HOW you held off posting that card for a week. It's the cutest card ever, honest! There's so much on it, with it still being clean and simple, that it just is amazing. I LOVE that PTI stamp set (because of your cards!), and this cinches it --- I must have it! The idea of the leaf falling into the sentiment is just too clever. This is just an awesome, awesome card. You can bet there will be millions of casers across the country copying you! As to what inspires me, it's the colors in nature. You think you've seen every rose, tree, sky, daisy, whatever, there is, and then one just jumps out at you and screams "I'm different!" Trying to capture them all is a goal. Susan, have I told you lately how I just love your blog? And how grateful we are to you for sharing your talent and creativity?

Colleen Dietrich said...

The sky and its colors in the evening most inspire me. I might be looking at shades of reddish orange and twilight blue, or there might be lavender, deep purple and blue there. After a snowfall last year, the sky was the most amazing blend of light and color.

Mary said...

Great card! The thing that inspires me most from nature would be colors. But that happens mostly in Fall, as it is my favorite season too! I wish I still lived further north ( Ohio! ) so I could get my fix faster. Here in NC the colors change and the temp drops but it just takes longer and doesn't last long enough.

The Fall colors really get my blood moving and remind me I'm alive and get my fingers itching to craft something!

lenainwonderland said...

Love the card! So delightfully simple and gorgeous =)

What inspires me in nature are the natural color combinations. Nature always gets the right and pretty.

Rosemary said...

wow, that's a gorgeous hunk of paper! i almost laughed when i read your comment about how your older sister can wear "fall/autumn" colors! that's me and my older sister! she looks fantastic in mustard yellow, etc. right now i'm inspired by the changing colors in the leaves on the trees.

Sunny Penn said...

What a gorgeous card! I really like your style. You're so generous...

Gloria Westerman said...

So Pretty.....simple but elegant...love it....inspiration to me is moon thru the trees at night.....or over the sea.....thank you for the chance to win this.....

Terry B. said...

Lovely card! All of God's beautiful colors, especially in the fall, inspire me, yet I see beauty in the falling/fallen snow, too! Mountains, lakes, plains, beauty is everywhere!

Vicki Dutcher said...

It would have to be the colors and foliage that inspire me - of any season really. So generous of you to have this contest. It is fun to see how many followers you get to answer! 1 if these days (years) I'll get there! LOL

Anonymous said...

I love Autumn / Fall because of the changing colors and the signal that the holidays are approaching. We moved this summer from a more mountainous area and I miss the lushness, esp. this time of year. My favorite colors are green and yellow which are often seen in Nature this time of year so each day has reasons to smile and be inspired.

Happy Crafting!
Tina
aka TeeGeeDee on SCS (where I found link to your blog!)

Laurel said...

What a wonderful giveaway and perfect timing for me!!! I am in the market for a new card stock company and have heard wonderful things about the quality of SU card stock! Colors inspire me in nature. Nature is such a beautiful, wonderful miracle. God's canvas...

Loretta said...

Very pretty card. We...at least most...in the NW call it fall as well. My crab apple trees are the prettiest colors already. (I live in SE AK).
Thanks for the give-away.

LaNell said...

What a wonderful giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity. I just love your blog and read it daily. I have gotten so much inspiration from your simple but beautiful cards. It has certainly turned me into a clean and simple 4 1/4 square card lover.

Bev E said...

I love your card. You are an artist. I think that stack of paper is more than enough inspiration. I will have to use that right now since it is in the 90's here today & we have no signs of fall yet. My backyard is saying green, pink & yellow flowers to me.

Nancy L. said...

Love your blog!! I get inspired by the colors of fall. Deeper colors instead of bright.

Heather T said...

In nature, it is trees that inspire me most, always has been. I remember doing trees in Art in highschool and now that I teach an art class I make them do trees often!
(Heather in Canada)

Sue McRae said...

Your fall card is just delightful! Something about makes me smile :)

Deanna C said...

Christmas is my favorite inspiration, though I too do lve Fall Colors.

Mrs. Green said...

I LOVE THAT CARD... Holy cow, it's perfection! Thank you for sharing it! :)

Flowers inspire me to no end. Give me an awesome flower stamp and I will use it over and over and over in different ways (i.e. focle point, sccent, background, etc)... Flowers are so versatile and pretty!

Donna K said...

What inspires me are all the squirrels digging through the beautiful fall leaves to bury their acorns. I love the richness of the colors of fall.

Ginny said...

Great card!! What inspires me most about the fall has got to be the cooler temps and lower humidity - it gives me an energy that sometimes goes into hiding in the summer. Also, the colors of fall simply make me happy.

liz a. said...

i definitely saw that piece of pumpkin pie there in the bottom corner by the sentiment! yum! and i have used a bit of SU cardstock, so i would love to win some, awesome! and thank you for thinking of us! oh, i think pansies showing up everywhere in the fall inspire me. here in the central calif. valley, pansies thrive all winter in our cold weather and they remind me of my polish grandma .........what could be better than that!

Angela said...

Love your blog, you've inspired me to make more simple cards. I've always loved the less-cluttered look, but you've shown me it really does work and not look plain!

PatsyB said...

I have 5 bulldogs and when they finally get to go outside to play (too hot in summer), they run and tumble and I am reminded that fallen leaves are one of the best toys nature can give us! They have a ball with these leaves and the colors just seem to fly all over! Sounds crazy but I love to watch them have a good time in a pile of leaves (it's also a great excuse to not rake!!!)

Willa Jean Coates said...

Susan! Thanks for being so generous!!! The changes in the trees inspire me:) I grown up in wild, wonderful WV (beautiful state) and then moved to VA (16 yrs ago) (2nd beautiful state)! So thankful to be amidst the beautiful changes of FALL!

Susan said...

Deciding what inspires me in nature is almost impossible as I love all of it - the miraculous rebirth of spring seen in the bulbs and blossom on the trees, the glory of all the colours in my summer flower borders, the subtle colours of autumn, the glitter of snow and frost in winter....

I'm up in Canada but would still love to win the cardstock - I have a good friend near Seattle and often have things mailed to her so please count me in!

msfreida said...

Such a creative move with the fallen leaf! This is one gorgeous card!

I LOVE watching the tress change dresses! Oh the hues that transform in just a matter of weeks! He really has a magical paintbrush!

Thanks for the chance to win this fabulous prize!

Jenine Isawa said...

I love the colors of nature. God has the most wonderful way of combining colors.

amagnogordon said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your card today. It is magical one layer madness! Who knew you could say all that so elegantly and in one simple layer! (I gotta CASE it!!) What inspires me the most in nature is trees, mountains and water. Kind of think of Bob Ross' and his "Happy" tree scenes and that's what makes my stamping day! Thanks for all that you do!

Julie said...

Your card today was great as always. I love reading your blog. You always make me giggle and lift my spirits. You are a true inspiration. Thanks for the give away and keep up the great work.

Hugs

Julie

Karen said...

OMGosh, Susan! You have completely blown me away with this card. It is absolute perfection in every way! I can understand why you are so giddy about it.

What inspires me most about nature? I would have to say colors. Both spring and fall colors get my creative juices flowing.

Although I would love to win some blog candy, you can leave me out of this drawing. I think I already have enough paper, and I know there is someone out there who really needs it!

Mary said...

Thanks for the chance to win. I LOVE your blog! You inspire me daily.
The things that inspires me most about nature are change of season and the colors that go along with them. I live in the Midwest and get to enjoy them all.

Ujjwal said...

Thats an absolutely stunningly gorgeous card!! I wish I was that good at CAS :)

What from nature? I would say I love flowers...and oh the variety of leaves...and not to forget those wonderful trees....hmm...in a nutshell I would say I love everything about it!!

And how I wish I was in US at this time :( ...I am just drooling over those paper yumminess :D but I am from India and so you can leave me out of the drawing

Jean McBride said...

Just want to say how much I enjoy your daily dose of creativity and humor. Keep up the good work! When I think of fall, I instantly think of the distinct smell in the air. Not sure I could even define it, but it's so welcoming to my senses. And I think that it goes without saying that the colors are fall are unmatched in their beauty.

kingstonmama said...

I am inspired by flowers and leaves and the waters of the Puget Sound. I am also inspired by my favorite season, fall.

Ann D. said...

Trees are my greatest inspiration in nature, and much as I like using leaves and trees on cards, I don't care for fall because it means winter is coming!

Super Jen said...

Love your enthusiasm! Keep it coming. I'm inspired by the colors I see in nature. I particularly love the sky but, of course, am also inspired by spring green and flowers as well as the richness of the fall colors. It killed me to pull out a huge pyracantha last year, I love it's orange berries against the waxy green leaves. But a thorny plant with poisonous berries does not belong in my yard where curious toddlers roam.

Lee Anne said...

Wow! Look at all that paper! How can you stand to give it away? I'd love to take it off your hands. I just received this same stamp set in the mail and can't wait to use it! Love your card!

Anne said...

Fall colors are definitely very inspirational to me. Lots of fond memories happened during the fall, so it's a very nostalgic time for me--college, marriage, two babies born, to name the really important ones! I sure enjoy your blog and check in every day to see what you're up to. I love your writing technique. Have you ever considered writing a book? Thanks for your inspiration and a chance to win more paper. Can't have too much of a good thing.

Sue D said...

Leaves inspire me the most--there are just so many kinds. I esp love to color them in fall colors.

delightfuldaisy said...

What a great card! Love that cute little branch on the right with the missing leaf! :)

I think what inspires me most are the blazing colors of the fall leaves. Yes, fall is my favorite season! Tomorrow, by the way, is the first day of fall! :)

dinosaur said...

I haven't used SU cardstock, so I would LOVE to win this:)

StampinGranny said...

Paper! Nobody, but nobody likes beautiful paper better than me. I love paper more than quilters love fabric. I am inspired by the colors of Fall and Spring. In Spring, the shades of green just astound me. In Fall, there are the gorgeous reds, browns, yellows, orange, and blends that abound. Oh my. It takes my breath away just thinking about it.

Heather B said...

I think nature inspires me the most - the textures of the grass, leaves, tree bark; and the colors - green, oranges, reds, browns. It's all so pretty. AND I need paper. I want paper. I hope I win!!

Anonymous said...

I do see and I love what I see! Fabulous card!
Please don't count me in your drawing.
Sharon D. from Canada

darlawelch said...

Wow - what a giveaway! I think I own half the items in the S.U. catalog, but admit to owning not even one piece of S.U. cardstock. What inspires me in nature? Wind blowing in the trees. In the spring it wafts sweet floral scents, in the summer it brings coolness to otherwise stifling days, and in the fall it rustles crisp leaves reminding us that cooler weather is on its way. Love your card and the little wayward leaf!

Doris said...

I, too, love Fall the most! Today, for instance, the temps hit 84 at our house; but tonight will be back down in the 50's -- good sleeping weather. Warm days, cool nights and fabulous colors drifting down from the trees in our similarly colorful yard. I can't think of anything more inspiring!

Rachel Hope said...

Oooooo, Nature is the Best inspiration! I am sometimes Shocked at how many colors can be found in nature and how Mother Earth puts them all together! Thanks for the chance to win!

Mim said...

Gotta love nature Susan, thanks again for the inspiration. Like the fallen leaf on our card, it does make for a nice visual triangle. Give this Aussie girl a miss in the draw!

Aimes said...

Oh I'm a week ahead LOL!!!!! I made a one layer card with a tree and autumnal shades last week! Still, that might not stop me from making another! For me, it's all about the colours of fall and watching the trees turn - beautiful! Your card is pretty beautiful too - though the trees aren't quite at that stage yet around here!
Hugs,
Aimes (A UK Peep from across the pond!)
x

cheepincharge said...

what in nature inspires me? My grandson...along with bugs, dirt, grass and whatever else catches his fancy when we are enjoying 'the outside'.

Thanks for all the inspiration on your blog. I enjoy reading it every day.

Serena said...

Color! No matter the season, you can always find colors to inspire in nature.

Amy said...

I'm most inspired by the changes in nature. Each season has its own beauty and I love that at different times of the year, different colors, textures, and themes appeal to me!

Jennifer Rzasa said...

Wow! I'm just about as excited about your awesome card as you are! It seems so effortless. It's really hard to pick something from nature that inspires me most. I can't really pinpoint it, so I'll just say it's the general atmosphere.

Susan O said...

Susan, every time you make a tree card I think it's my new favorite and today is no exception. As a transplanted Hoosier now in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I miss the gorgeous fall colors. Here our trees are mostly evergreen. I loved fall in Indiana and that may be why Earth Elements have always been my favorite of the old groups. Thanks for sharing your cardstock stash!

Cathy said...

What inspires me most in nature? This time of year, it has to be the changing color of leaves. At first glance, it looks like the leaves are just dying...but on closer inspection, the colors just burst forth and give us the magnificence that is autumn!

Lisa Lara said...

Heavens to Betsy (no idea what that means) Susan that is a big prize. Wow. That apparently lots of people that would like to win that....94 comments and it is only Wednesday evening. Goodness me. I will come back and post my card later. Hmmmmmm.....how does nature inspire me? I am just simply inspired by colors in general in nature....when I look at all the different greens in a grouping of trees, flowers oh flowers (I could stare at them all day), vegetables (I love a salad with all different colored vegies in there), fruits...., the rays of sunshine shining through clouds. That's my answer Susan.

KT said...

Love your blog candy....and birds and tree branches are my two favorite things in nature that inspire me! I love SU's Bird on a Branch stamp set and the bird punch was a must have, too!

Nicole said...

I have to pick just one thing that inspires me?! Yikes.

I think it is the colors, since nothing in Nature clashes. Put together pink, purple, white, blue, orange flowers and some green leaves - what do you get? Beauty. Everything harmonizes outside (except for the stuff I planted in front of my house, but I'm working on it). Not that I can make a Nature-inspired card and use more than two colors myself, but I do find the idea inspiring.

Ujjwal said...

Your card is stunningly gorgeous!! I wish I was that good at CAS :)

As for nature, I love the flowers and how they add color to our lives...I love the leaves...for all the green and the trees and the water....in a nutshell I love everything about nature :D I am complete nature's baby!!

And how I wish I was in U.S. at this time!! I am drooling over all the paper yumminess. But as of now I reside in India and so you can leave me out of the draw :(

Lisa Petrella said...

LOVE your card!!! It's simply PERFECT in every way! The things in nature that inspire me the most are the textures, colors, and organic shapes! I'm going on a hike with a friend tomorrow----perhaps I'll find the perfect inspiration for the OLW challenge!!

Denise said...

The gorgeous fall colors inspire me.... my favorite season!
Love your blog! Thanks for all the work you do to share your art with us!
DeniseB

Lindsey said...

I so understand why you don't want to pay shipping to send this to me in Canada! Someone is going to be very, very happy, though!
What a perfect autumn card! The fallen leaf cradling the sentiment puts it right over the top.

Lynette said...

I live in Hawaii and nature is truly all around us. I live on the Windward side of Oahu and is often inspired by the beauty of the mountains and ocean. I am fortunate to live in such a wonderful climate. Susan, thank you for all your inspirations!

Anonymous said...

Kristie H said....
Love your card. The fallen leaf is so clever. For what inspires me about nature I would have to say water. I love the sounds of it, light bouncing off and through it, how it changes the environment around it, the feel of it.

Tejal said...

Everything in nature inspires me..the same sunset everyday gives you different colors! The sky runs into a riot of colors..The shapes, textures, the colors that change each season..everything inspires..
I live in India, but I do have a sister in the US, so does that count?

Kay said...

Color in nature inspires me. Fall colors are my favorite, but I also like sunsets and rainbows and the ocean, especially in Hawaii. Nature puts together colors that I wouldn't think of combining.

Heather said...

Gorgeous card, I can understand why you desperately wanted to post this card! Nature, hmm. I think it's the colours that inspire me, especially the richness of autumn or the freshness of the blues and whites from winter.

Heather, from the UK.

Robin Perry said...

Such a pretty card! I love the fall colors. :-)

What inspires me most in nature? The beach, of course! Even though I now live in GA (but only until next year), my favorite place to be is on a beach in Florida ... at sunrise.

The beautiful colors of the sun rising over the horizon signifying a new beginning make me want to create something as beautiful. Each sunrise is different yet gorgeous in its own right.

The sounds of the waves crashing on the shore are to most soothing sounds in the whole world IMO.

Liliana said...

Beautiful card! Fall is my favorite season becasue of all the colors. Flowers also inspire me. Thanks for the chance to win. Blessings.

Hazel said...

my card is here x

Gisèle said...

This was a great One Layer Wednesday challenge. Not only is nature always inspiring but so are everyone's cards. Thanks!

Hazel said...

another entry from me here x

Jackie said...

Hi there, what a beautiful card. Thank you so much for the chance to enter the OLW challenge :o)
Jackie xx
England

Trinh said...

I love your one layer wonder! I am inspired by the colors in nature, especially during the fall season.

Tammy said...

Your card is just beautiful! I find the world we live in so inspiring from nation, to fashion, to home decor it is all around us...we just have to look and be open to what we see!! Thanks for the chance to win!

Diane S. said...

Right now of course the changing leaves inspire me and the sights and sounds and smells of autumn on my farm-I love looking at all the canning I did over the gardening year and am so pleased and happy!